LAWRENCE: Recreation charges increased

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   With little reaction from residents, Township Council gave final approval to an ordinance that raises the Lawrence Township Recreation Department fees by $5 or $10 on most programs following a public hearing Tuesday.
   The intent of the ordinance is to ease the burden on taxpayers to pay for the operating costs of the Recreation Department, said Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun. The increase in fees will help to offset those costs.
   The Recreation Department offers nearly 50 programs for children and adults, ranging from youth sports clinics and lessons to adult sports leagues. It also coordinates special events, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show, Community Day and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
   The Recreation Department’s anticipated budget for 2013 is $501,677, which includes operating expenses — office supplies, equipment and uniforms for sports teams and miscellaneous costs — plus salaries and benefits for the two full-time employees and seasonal employees.
   The fees charged for the Recreation Department programs cover the individual programs’ costs, but not the entire department budget. The increased fees, combined with grants and permits to use township athletic fields and parks, would raise more than $300,000 in net revenue — which means the net cost to operate the department would be $168,533.
   Under the proposed ordinance, it would cost $5 more to enroll in the art/theater half-day summer camp, the winter art program, the summer teen basketball program, before- and after-camp care, half-day sports camps, sports clinics and swim lessons. It would cost $5 more for a non-resident to rent a plot in the Community Garden.
   It would cost $10 more to take part in the art/theater full-day camp, the Safety Town program for young children, daily Teen Travel Camp for residents and non-residents, and volleyball. To rent a plot in the Community Garden would cost $10 more for residents.
   But the fees for other programs would increase by more than $10. It would cost $35 more to enroll in the boys’ lacrosse program, and $15 more to enroll in the full-day summer playgrounds program if enrollees sign up before April 30. A permit to rent one of the athletic fields would cost $15 more.
   Councilman Greg Puliti said the Lawrence Township Recreation Department’s fees are on “the low end” as compared to fees charged by other municipalities. The township is trying to align its fees with the ones charged by the other towns, he said.